| DES MOINES, Iowa (May 15, 2023) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented today on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.
“We had unseasonably warm and wet conditions last week across most of the state as several rounds of severe weather brought measurable rain, hail, high winds and reports of 11 weak tornadoes,” said Secretary Naig. “Farmers should have a window of opportunity in the coming week to make more planting progress, as forecasts indicate drier conditions and more seasonal temperatures.” The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov. Crop Report Warm, but wet, weather meant Iowa farmers had just 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 14, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The warmth helped crop emergence this week; however, the wet conditions marginally slowed planting progress. Farmers were still planting corn, soybeans, and oats during the dry periods of the week. Other reports of interest were concerns for isolated flooding and for a swath of large hail across the central portion of the State. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 14 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 23 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Eighty-six percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 8 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Thirty-five percent of the corn crop has emerged, 6 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of the average. One-fifth of Iowa’s expected soybean crop was planted during the week ending May 14, 2023, for a total of 69 percent planted, just over a week ahead of both last year and the average. Nineteen percent of soybeans have emerged, 9 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Nearly all the oat crop has been planted with 83 percent emerged, 9 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. The first oat condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 64 percent good and 13 percent excellent. Hay condition improved to 72 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition jumped to 53 percent good to excellent. Reports of livestock turned out to pasture and grazing were received.
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Burglary in Burlington
May 13th at 12:25 PM, Burlington Police Officers responded to 123 S. 3rd Street when the business owner observed someone inside the building on their surveillance cameras.
Upon arrival, they found Cheyenne John Stone, age 41, hiding in the basement of the building. Further investigation revealed a saw, hedge trimmers, and pry bars in their possession.
Vandalism Arrest
On May 12, 2023, at approximately 8:37p.m. deputies were dispatched to the Des Moines County Correctional Center for a report of vandalism. Des Moines County Correctional Officers discovered an individual had thrown large rocks at the windshields of two Des Moines County Correctional Center transport vehicles. There was additional damage to the front passenger window and frame of one of the transport vehicles. Total damage to the vehicles is estimated to be over $1500.
The suspect was located directly in front of the vandalized vehicles, by Des Moines County Correctional Officers, lying on his stomach with his hands behind his back. The suspect was identified as Calvin Ball, age 37, of Springfield Illinois. A check of video surveillance showed Ball vandalized the vehicles at approximately 8:34p.m. Deputies placed Calvin Ball under arrest for Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree and walked him into the Des Moines County Correctional Center.
IW Track Closing Friday, May 26th
Rebecca Susan Fritz
Rebecca “Becky” Susan Fritz, 66, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, May 13, 2023 at her home. She was born June 16, 1956 in Keosauqua, Iowa to John Woodruff and Alice F. Neal Coleman. She was a 1975 graduate of New London High School. On August 16, 1986 she married James LeRoy Fritz in Mt. Pleasant.
Becky worked as a rehab aide at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant retiring in 2013. She enjoyed crafts, puzzling, reading, gardening and tending her flowers, and collecting “Willow Tree” figurines.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her daughter Brittany (Aaron) Buffington of Winfield; son Wyatt Fritz of Mt. Pleasant; stepson Ryan (Amber) Fritz of Birmingham; six grandchildren, Logan, Lexee, and Aubrey Fritz and Abel, Ezrah, and Isaias Buffington; brothers LeRoy, Cecil (Kathy), Lester, Jeff (Margaret), Rex (Lorna), Doug, and Reuben (Cathy); sisters Donna (Dennis) Hassman, Catherine (Steven) Ort, Linda (Greg) Mertens, Janet (Mark) Wesely, and Judy (Kerry) Kelly; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Visitation will begin at noon Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family greeting friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The funeral service for Mrs. Fritz will be at 10:00 Friday, May 19, at Elliott Chapel with Pastor David Mixon officiating. Burial will follow at Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa. A memorial has been established for Compassus Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Municipal Utilities Meeting Mount Pleasant May 16th
Board of Trustees: Regular Meeting:
Dan McCabe, Chairman 1:00 P.M. Tuesday
Harvey Ungerman May 16th, 2023
David George (City Hall Council Chamber Room
Michelle Rosell located at 307 E. Monroe St.)
Lori White
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER.
A. Roll call.
B. Approval of Agenda.
II. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
A. Regular Board Meeting April 18th, 2023 – Approval.
B. Board Working Session May 12th, 2023 – Approval.
III. FINANCIAL.
A. Approval of Warrants.
B. Treasurer’s Report – Jody Fuller.
C. Transfer of Funds – Transfer budget dollars allocated for the Turbine Room Project to Well #6 Roof
D. 2023-2024 Capital & Operating Budget – Review & Approval
E. Water Rate Resolution N0 2019 – 01 – Review & Approve
Review of detail associated with the automatic inflationary rate adjustment factor language
contained within the current Water Rate Resolution No. 2019-01.
IV. LEGAL COUNSEL.
A. Attorney – Timothy J. Whipple (Ahlers & Cooney P.C.).
V. OPERATIONS.
1. Cedar Lane Well #7 and Water Distribution System Project – Update
a) Board review of the associated Bid Package #1 (Well Drilling) work.
b) Board review of the associated Bid Package #2 (Well Equipping) work.
2. E. Henry Street Water Main Replacement Project – No Update.
a) Board review of the associated water main / service replacement work.
3. Adams Street Substation 15 kV Sheltered Aisle Switchgear Replacement Project – Update.
a) Board review of the associated Adams Street Substation 15 kV Sheltered Aisle Switchgear
Replacement Project work.
4. Transmission System Power Supply Project – Update.
a) Status update of the associated 69 kV transmission system power supply work.
5. Monthly Activities.
a) Mt. Pleasant Utilities Employee Handbook, Meal Reimbursement, Review and Approve
A. Customers.
1.
C. Employees.
1.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS.
A. Other Business, Unscheduled for Consideration by Board of Trustees.
1. Executive Session will convene w/ guests.
a) (Executive Session pursuant to Section 21.5(1)(c) of the Code of Iowa for
legal purposes).
VII. ADJOURNMENT.
Next Regular Board Meeting: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday June ??, 2023.
Bluegrass Road Open
OWI
Just after 4am, Saturday, May 13th, a driver of a pickup truck went airborne on 243rd Ave. He told the officer that he fell asleep behind the wheel. Upon the officer’s arrival, they found that Matthew Davis of Montrose appeared to be intoxicated. After the Lee County Sheriff Department conducted an OWI investigation, Matthew was arrested. There was slight damage to the yard area of 3167 243rd ave. The owners were contacted and did not wish to pursue this.